HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21266, 21 February 1931, Page 14

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE.

“HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT.” The pantomime, “The House That Jack Built,” was repeated at His Majesty's Theatre last evening by the J. C. Williamson Company. This second performance was as outstanding a success as the premiere on Thursday evening, the large audience reacting perfectly to the beauty, vigour, and rhythm of one of the most delightful variety entertainments it has been the good fortune of Dunedin audiences to enjoy for many months. “ The House That Jack Built” is a pantomime that no one should The oldest of the old will revel in its exquisite fancy and sportive gaiety as happily as the youngest of the young. There is comedy in plenty, with just the right seasoning of buffoonery. Also there is romance of the most charming kind, and best of all there is the beautiful fiction of a kingdom of reconciled imposeibilties such as we all knew and enjoyed when we were very young. The background for these essental ingredients •is colour and music and rhythm perfectly co-ordinated into a wonderful whole. Jim Gerald as the Dame Barleycorn is irresistible, and as full of pranks and nonsense as ever. He is supported in the comedy parts by Roy Rene and Phil Smith, comedians of talent, who assist him in keeping the house in the best of humours all night. Miss Amy Rochelle plays the part ot Jack Bilder exceptionally well, bringing to her performance a dashing style that suits both her and the part. Then there is the Fairy Queen played by Miss Kathleen Goodall, the darling of the piece, who sings so beautifully and carries herself like the best of the fairy queens we knew in our childhood. The Fallow Sisters, the Paulasto Brothers, the delightful little dancing girls, and the competent ballet are only a few of the attractions of “The House That Jack Built.” The soug numbers are nil likely to prove popular, and their rendering cannot fail to meet with ready appreciation. Among the ballets are some of the most spectacular productions ever seen here, including the Vegetable ballet, the Phantom Army, the Illuminated Swing, and a host of others, not forgetting Lily the Cow. represented by the Paulasto Brothers. “ The House That Jack Built ” should certainly be seen, and those that see it will undoubtedly commend it to their friends, not alone for its merit, but also because half of the profits of the present tour are to be devoted to the Earthquake Relief Fund.

A matinee will be held to-day at 2 o’clock, and this evening’s performance will be started at 8 o’clock. It is a wonderful pantomime for children, who shriek with delight at Lily the Cow, at the girl who flies over the heads of the audience, at Dame Barleycorn, at the 12 beautiful girls on the illuminated swing, and at the 25 brilliantly clover Australian girls, whose ages vary from eight to 12 years, and whose dancing in the wonderful Toy Shop ballet is a sensation.